1 TOPIC: Den Chiefs Participants will answer the following questions by the end of the session: Explain what a Den Chief is. Understand the Den Leader s responsibility to the Den Chief. Understand the Den Chief s responsibilities to the Den and Pack. Presentation Method In planning the presentation, you should review the latest materials posted at http://www.venturing.org/ The most recent program information is posted there and is ready for your use. Additionally another primary source of information is the Den Chief Training Facilitator Guide will have the most recent materials related to Den Chiefs posted at https://www.scouting.org/training/youth/den-chief-training/. Use the discussion outline below to help you prepare your remarks. PowerPoint presentation slides were not prepared for use during this session. If you wish to use one, the content below will be helpful in constructing your presentation. Resources Boy Scouts of America (2018). Den Chief Guide. Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America (Pending Publication) Boy Scouts of America (2018). Den Chief Training Facilitator Guide. Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America (34450) Boy Scouts of America (2014). Venturing Advisors Guide. Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America (BSA No. 618768) OVERVIEW This session will provide the participants with a greater understanding of how Venturers can serve as a Den Chief and the importance of providing a role model for the Cub Scouts and assist the Cub Scouting den leaders in providing a great program for the pack. INTRODUCTION A Den Chief is a Boy Scout, Venturer or Sea Scout assisting a Cub Scout den. But the story is far more important than those words suggest as the Den Chief: Serves as a Scouting role model for the Cub Scouts in the den, as well as the entire pack; Promotes Scouting in general and the local troop and crew in particular; Encourages the transition of Webelos Scouts into Boy Scouting; Holds a leadership position in the troop or crew, thus fulfilling an advancement requirement in the unit.
2 In addition, a trained Den Chief: Assists the den leader with planning and conducting den meetings; Understands the Cub Scouting program and the differences between Cub Scouts and other Scouting programs; Understands the den leader s duties and confidently helps lead portions of the den meeting program; Knows a variety of resources for age-appropriate activities for Cub Scouts in the den; Brings a repertoire of activities that Cub Scouts enjoy. ENGAGEMENT If possible have a current or former Den Chief available to participate in the presentation of this session. EXPLANATION What is a Den Chief? A Den Chief is the best secret for a successful, fun den program, and a valuable resource! A Den Chief is a registered Boy Scout, Venturer, or Sea Scout, selected by the Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor, or Skipper to help serve a Cub Scout den. Both young men and young women are needed to serve as Den Chiefs. There are currently no gender restrictions for Den Chiefs in boy only or girl only dens. Any qualified Venturer (young woman or young man) may be a Den Chief for either boys or girls. The Den Chief is a leadership position can be used to meet the requirement for leadership for Star, Life or Eagle Scout ranks. Scouts can serve for 4 months (Star Rank), 6 months for Life and Eagle or unlimited amounts of time. Cubmasters and den leaders can request a Den Chief from the partner troop/crew or another troop/crew. Scoutmasters, Crew Advisors, and Skippers should be seeking opportunities to place Den Chiefs in nearby packs The Den Chief is a model of good Scouting. It is recommended the Den Chief have some experience in Scouting but this is not required. Younger Den Chiefs can work with younger dens and older Den Chiefs can work with the Webelos. Having a Den Chief is a wonderful experience!
3 The Den Leader s responsibilities to the Den Chief: Provide opportunities for your Den Chief to serve and help the Cub Scouts. The Den Chief is normally the activities assistant in the den. Help the Den Chief to get trained. Be specific about their responsibilities for each activity. Give your Den Chief the Den Chief Handbook and look through it together. Inform your Den Chief of available training. If no training is available, the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Skipper, or Crew Advisor may conduct the training. The Den Leader helps the Den Chief know the purposes of Cub Scouting. Help your Den Chief learn the characteristics of Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts and their different abilities and needs. Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts need recognition, understanding and need to feel being a part of a group. Have meaningful jobs and assignments for your Den Chief, who is your activities assistant. Do not have the Den Chief do the job that should be done by the denner. Create your den meeting agenda with your Den Chief. Communicate with your Den Chief clearly and weekly. Sign your Den Chief s Handbook in the Service Record sections when the specific requirements have been completed. The Service Record is at the back of the Den Chief s Handbook. Have open communication with your Den Chief s advisor in their home unit (Troop, Crew, or Ship). Make sure the parents of your Den Chief have your den and pack schedule and information about events. Obtain a copy of your Den Chief s BSA health and medical forms to take on field trips with your den and your Den Chief. [Medical Form parts A and B] Take the time to mentor your Den Chief before and after meetings. Take your Den Chief with you to Cub Scout camps! Have your Den Chief repeat the Den Chief Pledge (in the Den Chief Handbook) in your den so the den will recognize the importance of your Den Chief. The Scoutmaster, Advisor, or Skipper is supposed to give your Den Chief his Den Chief s patch as his badge of office from the troop to wear on the uniform on the left shoulder. The Cubmaster or the Den Leader gives the Den Chief the Den Chief s leadership shoulder cord. The cord is a blue and gold striped leadership cord for a Tiger, Wolf or Bear Den Chief and a red, yellow and blue leadership cord for a Webelos Den Chief. It is worn on the left shoulder (The denner cord is two strands of yellow cord and the assistant denner cord is one strand of yellow cord.)
4 Read through the Den Chief Handbook to be familiar with the activities your Den Chief can share with your Cubs. Encourage your Den Chief to complete the Den Chief Service Award. The requirements are in the Den Chief Handbook. The Den Chief serves for one year and completes assignments including demonstrations of games, songs, etc. The award is a certificate and a red, white and blue striped leadership cord. Only a Den Chief can wear this award. The Den Leader gives the Den Chief opportunities for leadership practice, organizational and communication skills, responsibility, and helps the Den Chief advance in rank in the troop. The Den Chief s responsibility. A Den Chief models good Scouting. The Den Chief is the activities assistant in the den meetings. A Den Chief wears a BSA uniform to den and pack meetings. A Den Chief is trained. Provide your Den Chief with the Den Chief Handbook (either a hard copy or electronic copy). A Den Chief models the Scout Oath and Law and shows scout spirit. A Den Chief shows leadership. A Den Chief meets with the den and pack leaders for planning activities. A Den Chief helps the denner and give the denner an opportunity for leadership. A Den Chief helps the Cub Scouts with advancement. The Den Chief can use the EDGE method to help with Scout skills such as knot tying, flag ceremonies, leading games, first aid, participating in discussions, leading songs and skits, etc. Share your knowledge with the Cub Scouts. A Den Chief can help during the pack meetings with displays, gathering activity, organizing the Cubs and get them seated, help with skits, ceremonies, yells, cheers and demonstrations, helps the Cubs set up A Den Chief encourages Cub Scouts to become Webelos Scouts. He encourages Webelos Scouts to make the transition to Boy Scouts. He makes it easier because the Cubs know they have a friend in the troop. Your Den Chief can share stories of what happens in the troop. A Den Chief knows the purposes of Cub Scouting and helps the Cubs achieve those purposes. A Den Chief is a friend to the Cubs in the den. A Den Chief assists the den at the monthly pack program. Cub Scouting is a family program and the Den Chief will meet the families of the den members.
5 Special Note: A Den Chief is NOT another Cub Scout. A Den Chief is NOT a denner. A Den Chief is NOT a babysitter. A Den Chief is NOT an adult leader. A Den chief is NOT the assistant leader. A Den Chief is NOT the disciplinarian. APPLICATION Challenge the Crew Advisors and Officers to recruit Den Chiefs from their respective Crews. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Why is it important for Cub Scouts to have Venturers serve as role models? Is serving as a Den Chief a challenging service opportunity for a Venturer? Is giving Cub Scouts an idea of how much fun Venturing is a way for them to look forward to joining a Crew? CLOSURE ASSESSMENT Wrap up conversation. Close by asking participants how they will use what they learned during this evening s roundtable to support their crew s program. Look for participant answers to the following questions by the end of the session: What is a Den Chief? What are the Den Leader s responsibility to the Den Chief? What are the Den Chief s responsibilities to the Den and Pack?